National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #07

 On Sunday, I went into Lews Castle again. Whenever I happen by, I take the opportunity to pop in and have a look. The Castle is actually nothing more than a mansion, built in the middle of the 19th century. The funding was generated through the opium trade in China, with Sir James Matheson, baronet, at the heart of it. He even got to the British government to foment a war with China over the stuff. Opium is the base material from which all opioids, including morphine and codeine are extracted. Heroin is a synthetic form of morphine, with two acetyl groups hitched onto the molecule. 

The Castle was last owned privately by Lord Leverhulme, who died in 1925. He left it to the community, which eventually turned it into a college. After it fell into disrepair in the 1970s and 80s, the college moved to a new building next door, and the Castle slowly mouldered away. If it had not been for the refurbishment of 2015, it would have collapsed. As it was, Lews Castle was lovingly restored and the results never cease to amaze me. 

When one of my friends attended its reopening, on 16 July 2016, she burst into tears upon seeing the ornate entrance hall, the magnificent ballroom and the finery of the other staterooms. For all the riches and opulence displayed there, Sir James Matheson was laird over a population of desperately poor tenantry. In 1851, he organised for those that had fallen behind with their rent passage to Canada. They were appointed volunteers, if you catch my drift. Rather than help them with more land, Matheson bumped them off. 

By all means, visit Lews Castle. Have a cuppa in the Stonehouse Cafe. But spare a thought for the poor people that were subjected to its 19th century owner's whims. 

 

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #06

During 2021, I would go for a walk almost every day, and I think I clocked up over 700 miles last year. This year, my frequency of walks has dropped off to about once a month. So, I share the pics I took this afternoon on a walk through the Lews Castle Grounds. It was a little chilly, but a lot of folk were out for walks too. Hope you enjoy the pics.

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #05

Remember, remember the fifth of November. The anniversary of the gunpowder plot, a failed attempted to blow up Parliament in London. Guy Fawkes, sometimes known as Guido Fawkes, carried the can for that plot. He was executed two months after the attempted attack. Although he was due to be hanged, drawn and quartered, he spared himself the latter two pleasantries by dying through the first. 

Tonight, we'll have the usual letting off of fireworks around the country, and the burning of effigies. Please keep your pets safe.

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #04

Today is the 4th anniversary of the death of one of my on-line friends, Donna Diggins. I first encountered her back in 2005, blogging under the AOL screenname of nightmaremom. She was all into (American ice) hockey, her family and producing so-called tags, little works of on-line art. Donna shared imagery of the savage weather that sometimes affects the Lakes, with ice-encrusted trees, cars and houses. 

Early in 2018, she confided in me regarding a recurrence of bladder cancer, and as the year progressed, her condition worsened. In the evening of November 4th, at about 10pm, word came that she had been released from suffering. I never met Donna in person, but she was as large as life, sassy and inclusive.

Donna lives on in the minds of those who knew her, whether in person or through this imperfect medium. 

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #03

 November 3rd today, and our changeable weather continues. Today it is 4 years ago since the death of one of my local friends, Sophia. I had first met her in 2013, but lost touch. Nonetheless, she was one of those people in this life that touch you, if not physically. She left behind grieving relatives, over in her native Australia, and friends around the globe. Sophia classed herself as a mermaid, and engaged in wild swimming in the sea. Even in these cool latitudes. One of our shared interests was cats. Her little cat, Torran, was found wandering outside her house afterwards, and was kindly taken in by a local friend. She is still there, down in Uist, but will meet Sophia again beyond the Rainbow Bridge.

Swim free, friend.

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #02

 A wild and rainy day today, with gales causing disruption on our ferry service. Typical November, and summer is but a distant memory. We've had some nice sunsets in recent days, more easily espied as the sun sets to the southwest now, and much earlier in the day. Two named storms are eye-balling us, Claudio, coming up from France, and Martin, currently a tropical cyclone. The latter will reach us as an ordinary, mid-latitude depression after the weekend. The hurricane season is in its final few weeks now. 

National Blog Posting Month 2022 - #01

Today sees the start of National Blog Posting Month. Those who feel so inclined can post on their blog each day.

1st November is Samhann, the start of winter in the Celtic calendar. The winter half-year ends on April 30th, St Walpurgis Night, when the evil spirits are banished back into darkness. But  that is still six months away. As daylight recedes, we remember those who have gone on ahead in the past twelve months. Among those is my father, who passed away in August at the age of 88. 

Here in the J-land community, we mourn the loss of six of our number:
Jackie Moore (71), 22 October
Vivian Sullivan Nwankpah (69), 29 March
Celeste N Eatherton (57), 13 March
Jan Eadie, 5 March
Barbara C Masters (61), 23 February
John E Knox, 18 February

We grieve their passing, in the sure knowledge that they will rise again, at the Breaking of the Day, when all the Shadows flee away.